AKPAN PLEASED TO MAKE DEBUT

20 July 2017

Michael Ydlibi

New signing Hope Akpan was pleased to get on the pitch Tuesday night against Solihull Moors after only signing for the Brewers earlier on in the day.

Akpan said: ‘It was brilliant to get onto the pitch, I had done a lot of training over the summer on my own and with my friends to keep myself fit. Once I get fitter and stronger, then I will be ready to show the fans what I can do.

I feel like the season before last I was playing good football and last season I had a few injuries and suspensions at key times which obviously didn’t help with Blackburn getting relegated so it wasn't a great year. However, I hope I can turn it around this year once I get fit. I thrive on getting stuck in and being competitive, hopefully I can add that to the side and help to get positive results once the season begins.”

Akpan also spoke about how the Brewers trip away is helping him settle in with his new teammates: “It’s good to be in this sort of environment with the lads straight away, it’s important for the lads to be together and know strengths and weakness and that should happen.

I got a round of golf in with Kyle and Murphs and it has been good to get to know the other boys too. It helps that I already know Kyle, he knows exactly the sort of player I am and I think he’s told the lads what to expect from me on and off the pitch."